Thursday, November 3, 2011

Roadside Attractions

Thursday, November 3, 2011
4 comments
In January 2010 I took daughter Phoebe to Florida for The Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival. We did a number of speaking gigs at the festival and at local schools. It was really cool to see Phoebe interacting with kids her age from the Florida schools, showing them, without a doubt, that birding is not just for nerds.

It was a highlight of my years as a Dad to be able to show Phoebe her life alligator, armadillo, manatee, bobcat, and a score of birds, including the endangered Florida scrub-jay. But there was one Florida lifer that eluded us: the giant roadside attraction.

On Sunday, when the festival was over, we headed for the Orlando airport by a roundabout way. A giant alligator at a roadside attraction provided a perfect memento for Phoebe. We stopped, she got out, and we took a few photos with this big-as-a-tractor-trailer gator.

I love this image because it shows my little girl, who is no longer a little girl, in full "hurry up and take the photo, Daddy!" posture. What a gator! What a trip! And what a girl! We really need to do another daddy-daughter trip before fledges into the wide world on her own two wings.

4 comments:

On November 5, 2011 at 5:46 PM Rondeau Ric said...

There is always Rondeau and that other place, oh ya, Pelee.
Canada is always a trip.


word verification PACKe, it's a sign.

On November 8, 2011 at 8:27 AM Chatterbirds said...

I think I would head to Florida just to see that giant gator!

On December 19, 2011 at 9:56 PM christian louboutin shoes said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
On August 9, 2013 at 2:02 AM Orlando Vacation Rental said...

I wish i can see this type of aligator again!


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